England's cricketers fly out to Bloemfontein on Saturday evening after a week in which Trott was criticised by former England captain Michael Vaughan, who revealed in his autobiography that the Warwickshire batsman was spotted celebrating with South African players after they beat England at Edgbaston in 2008.

Trott was born in Cape Town but scored a century for England in his only Test to date in the Ashes decider at The Oval this summer.

Flower said: "I saw Trotty on Wednesday and he knew stuff was coming out in the papers and he was comfortable about it.

"He said 'Look, I've got a clear conscience about it. I was caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

"There was nothing malicious about it at all and I agree with him and believe him.

"But they (the South African fans) will have seen his performance at The Oval against Australia. I am sure he will get a bit of a hostile reception."

Flower was also born in Cape Town but represented Zimbabwe and insisted he had no problems with Trott and Kevin Pietersen, both born and bred in South Africa, facing their former countrymen.

He said: "The England teams historically have had people like Allan Lamb, Tony Greig and Graeme Hick. I don't see it being any different to that.

"From watching Trott in preparation for The Oval Test and in the Test itself he is 100% committed to this team and this country. I am quite happy with the situation."

Pietersen will stay behind when the England team fly out to complete his rehabilitation from his Achilles injury.

But Flower says he is "chomping at the bit" to get at South Africa and will follow his team-mates out on November 9 in time for the start of the five one-day internationals.

Pietersen wielded a bat for the first time in three months yesterday afternoon at Lord's and Flower said: "He's still got a bit of rehab work to do to get up to speed.

"Hopefully he'll be okay to play in the warm-up game against South Africa 'A' and then ready to go at the start of the one-day series.

"That is what we are targeting. Pietersen's been pushing himself running. He'll just love getting a bat in his hands again and hitting the ball. He's chomping at the bit to get going."

Pietersen was given a hard time by spectators on his last visit to his native South Africa in an England shirt but Flower believes the 29-year-old has won over his critics.

"This time probably he will have the respect from the South African public," said Flower. "They love sport and cricket."

Flower is also confident England have the fire power in fast bowlers Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom to beat South Africa, who are ranked number one in the world.

England languish in fifth place, despite their Ashes victory, and Flower said: "With this attack we can win the series.

"Without Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff we are a few mph down on pace but you can make that up with other things. We have the attack to take 20 wickets.

"Stuart Broad has shown that he can be as hostile as anyone and Jimmy Anderson is slippery and in the high 80s."

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